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Forum » General Discussions » Best Manufacturer?


by Tubby_Man
(48 posts)
18 years ago

Best Manufacturer?

Lets discuss our opinions on the different manfacturer's, pros and cons!

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  2. by blackfrancis
    (396 posts)
    18 years ago

    Re: Best Manufacturer?

    Just leave it at Conn.

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    1. by saxjunkie89
      (393 posts)
      18 years ago

      Re: Best Manufacturer?

      oooh... Conns are great, though. I own a 24MHF alto, the student model, and I think it plays much better than a Reference 54 (leaving it open to pro-Selmer arguments)

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      1. by connsaxman_jim
        (2336 posts)
        18 years ago

        Re: Best Manufacturer?

        Of course the "BEST" horn is a matter of opinion, but here are my thoughts. Best sounding horns, vintage: Conn 6M and 10M, King Super 20 Best action, Vintage: Selmer SBA or Mark VI Best Intonation, Vintage: Buescher Aristocrat or 400 Top Hat & Cane Best Value; Vintage: Buescher Aristocrate or later Conn 10M (1948-1968) NEW HORNS Best sounding horn: Keilwerth SX-90R and Selmer Reference 54 Best Action: Selmer Reference 54, Yanagisawa 992 Best Intonation: Yanagisawa 992, Yamaha 62 Best Value: Yamaha 62, Cannonball Big Bell Global Series Personal favorites: The Conn 6M and 10M, Buescher 400 Top Hat & Cane, King Zephyr and Super 20, Keilwerth SX-90R, Yamaha 62 On a budget: Conn Director's model 14M (alto) and 16M (tenor), King Cleveland models, 613, Antigua Winds, P. Mauriat, Kessler Custom, LA Sax, EM Winston.

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        1. by connsaxman_jim
          (2336 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          I left out the dates on the Conn Directors models. 1955-1968 are the ones to buy. Also, I mention EM Winston. I've found some of their horns to be quite decent when compared to others in the same price range, but I have noticed that more of the EM Winstons are made in China, and not Taiwan, and the quality is not as good. With any of these cheaper horns, you really need to look them over carefully and play them if at all possible.

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        2. by Tubby_Man
          (48 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          I thaught Selma was considered the best make?

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        3. by landrusax
          (44 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          I agree that old (pre serial #315000) Conns are great, but I think the most reliable and mechanicaly sound horns are the old Selmer Super Balanced Action and early Mark VI. Conns have a beautiful round and fat sound, but overall I have found that I prefer playing on Selmers. If you could get the sound of a Conn and the mechanics of a Selmer you could have the perfect horn. I've owned a few Keilwerth SX-90R's and have found them to be a great modern horn. But it doesn't get any better than the vintage Conns, Selmers and King Super 20.

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        4. by saxjunkie89
          (393 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          Tubby_Man, do you mean Selmer? Even if you don't, although I don't know what else you could mean, it's all a matter of opinion and preferences. As I said before, I played a Selmer Reference 54 once, and I didn't think that it matched my Conn's sound, which I personally prefer. I'm up to testing different brands from what I play, but I'm happy with what I do play. Soprano: J. Erich Alto: Conn 24MHF Tenor: Selmer USA Bundy Bari: Yamaha YBS-61

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        5. by connsaxman_jim
          (2336 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          Selmer the best make? Well, that is a common misconception :)

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        6. by definition
          (963 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          I agree Jim!

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        7. by Tubby_Man
          (48 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          I wasn't saying Selmer was the best make (I don't know, iv'e only recently started playing). It's just that all the web-sites iI go on say thay Selmer is regarded as the beast.

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        8. by CountSpatula
          (602 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          I guess im one of the few who like selmers haha. I'm not a big fan of conn...they're just weird to me. and the tenor sax plays on an old one thats almost impossible to get a note out on and plays outta tune so he uses a yamaha for professional stuff. I like the reference 54. Its just the sound of it that I want. But going back, it could be that conn. I found a website that shows professionals horns they play on, some conns, mainly Mark VI's, some random other ones. And that last post did you mean "Selmer is regarded as the best?" or beast...but the beast part sounds funny haha.

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        9. by johnsonfromwisconsin
          (767 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          For Modern, I really like Selmers for tone and I really like Yanagisawa for build and mechanics. For vintage? Buescher. Great warmth. Sturdy. Posesses good intonation for vintage. Decent keywork overall.

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        10. by connsaxman_jim
          (2336 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          It's pretty hard to beat Buescher for intonation. Even their earlier True Tone models were very good for their day. They were preferred by many of the top players at that time also.

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        11. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          Does your friend's Conn generally play sharp? I believe Conn's were made to have a Larger mouthpiece than other saxophones generally have. When I put a different mouthpiece (one other than the Conn it came with), my Tenor plays sharp, too. I solve the problem by raising the neck about 3/32 of an inch, and tighten the screw there. Then I have no problem.

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        12. by CountSpatula
          (602 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          Wouldn't it be a lot easier just to grab a tuner and pull out un poco? (Thats small for those who dont habla espanol :P)

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        13. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          The mouthpiece would not seal if it was pulled out far enough to be in tune without making the neck adjustment I've made.

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        14. by CountSpatula
          (602 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          ew...

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        15. by Dave Dix
          (421 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          replace the neck cork or wrap some teflon tape on it Dave

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        16. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          I had the neck cork replaced three times (years ago) before I learned that they would not put thicker cork on the neck. Like I said, it works to raise the neck.

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        17. by jamterry
          (573 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          Sax Mom do you have a 3/32 sleeve (ring) that you slip on your neck to raise it? Or do you just eyeball it? Just curious. It seems like a 3/32 ring would be pretty happening. All the best to you :) Terry

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        18. by johnsonfromwisconsin
          (767 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          -------------------------------------------------------------------- I had the neck cork replaced three times (years ago) before I learned that they would not put thicker cork on the neck. Like I said, it works to raise the neck ------------------------------------------------------------------- If they don't regard your input and meet your needs, I wouldn't encumber them with my furthur buisness. Making a neck cork to customer specs isnt' difficult. Furthurmore, I'm not sure that a neck tenon is done properly unless it will hold the correct sized mpc on snug with less than an inch. In my non-expert opinion, the leading edge of the cork should offer resistance against the mouthpiece's bore sliding on.

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        19. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: Best Manufacturer?

          Jamterry, No, I don't have a ring, I estimated. It's a bit less than 1/8 inch...just enough so the octave mechanism still works. JohnsonfromWisconsin, I agree with you, but, since what I am doing works, I don't see the need to try to get a larger cork on there now. I believe a big part of it was the, "I'm the tech, and you're just a girl," problem... My tech today is a guy that went to college with me... we respect one another. If I were to ask him to make it right, I believe he would. Off-topic: I took a car into the dealer mechanic (under warranty) telling them it felt like it was missing (only during accelleration). They didn't believe me. It took them all day before the guy finally unscrewed the hood lightbulb, put a blanket over his head, and had a buddy step on the gas. There was a pinhole in the lead spark-plug wire that didn't get the charge where it needed to go... After that, they believed me!

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